Judges and staff of the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS have begun a two-day training workshop on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), also called the law of war or the law of armed conflict.
It was organized in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC in Abuja.
The Court, according to a statement issued by the organizers, addresses many cases related to breaches of international law every year in line with its human rights mandate.
The first of its kind, the workshop, brought together the Court’s five judges and more than 20 staff drawn mainly from the Court’s Registry and the Research and Documentation Department.
It is aimed at developing the role and expertise of the judges in the application of IHL and improves the understanding of the staff of the legal framework to better support the judges.
The workshop is being held in five sessions, introducing the participants to IHL, protection of health care and access to health care, use of force in military and security operations and applicable rules for detention in armed conflict.
“As a number of countries in West Africa are dealing with armed conflicts, it is more important than ever for judges from our Community Court of Justice to strengthen their understanding of international humanitarian law,” Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the Court said.